From toasting milestones to unwinding after a long day, alcohol is a frequent companion in social settings. But for many people, imbibing can become more than an occasional indulgence. Problem drinking is on a continuum that ranges from mild misuse to full-blown addiction, and it’s not always obvious where you stand.
If you’re wondering whether your drinking has become an issue, use this guide to understand the difference between casual use, problematic use, and addiction.
When Does Drinking Cross the Line?
Having a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at a party doesn’t pose significant risks for many people. However, alcohol dependency can develop more quickly than you think, becoming a habit before you realize how often you rely on it in everyday life.
Problem drinking refers to any pattern of alcohol use that negatively impacts you, even if you haven’t developed a fully fledged addiction. It often includes:
- Drinking to cope with stress, sadness, or boredom
- Regularly drinking more than you intended
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about how much and how often you drink
- Neglecting your responsibilities or relationships in favor of alcohol use
- Experiencing cravings for alcohol when you are sober
- Continuing to drink despite adverse effects
Is Your Drinking Pattern Becoming Harmful?
Problem drinking is insidious, gradually blurring the line between social use and dependency. If these signs sound familiar, it might be time to consider whether your drinking has moved from casual to troublesome.
- Increased tolerance: Needing more alcohol to feel the same desirable effects.
- Failed attempts to cut back: Trying to reduce how much you drink with little success.
- Drinking in risky situations: Drinking and driving, using alcohol at work, or mixing alcohol with prescription medications.
- Neglecting your obligations: Skipping work, school, or family commitments due to drinking.
- Changes in your mood or behavior: Becoming irritable, anxious, or withdrawn when you don’t drink.
- Using alcohol to cope: Regularly relying on alcohol to manage stress, anxiety, or sadness.
Drinking Problem vs. Alcohol Addiction
While problem drinking doesn’t always mean you have an alcohol use disorder, it can be a precursor to addiction if you don’t seek help.
- Control: People with a less advanced drinking problem may still be able to set limits and stop using alcohol when they choose. Those with alcohol addiction cannot manage their drinking, even when they sincerely want to.
- Withdrawal: If you become physically dependent on alcohol, you will experience various withdrawal symptoms when this substance leaves your system. These signify that your brain cannot achieve equilibrium on its own.
- Compulsion: A powerful, often overwhelming urge to drink is a hallmark of alcohol addiction.
Problem Drinking Treatment in California
You have the power to prevent a drinking problem from progressing to a full-fledged addiction. If you recognize the warning signs in yourself, you should act before your situation worsens.
NEM Recovery helps people at every stage of alcohol misuse – from those just starting to worry about their habits to those who have been struggling for years. Our program offers:
- Assessment and personalized treatment planning
- Medical detox to ease uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms
- Therapeutic support for underlying emotional challenges
- Education on healthy coping strategies
- Family therapy to repair and rebuild damaged relationships
Questioning your relationship with alcohol is a brave first step. We provide a judgment-free space to explore these questions and find the help you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you or your loved one on the quest for lasting recovery.
